296 PLIGHT'S NATURAL HISTOBY. [Book XXVIII. 



or carriage 1 exercise; this last being performed in various ways. 

 Exercise on horseback is extremely good for affections of the 

 stomach and hips, a voyage for phthisis, 2 and a change of 

 locality 3 for diseases of long standing. So, too, a cure may 

 sometimes be effected by sleep, by a recumbent position in bed, 

 or by the use of emetics in moderation. To lie upon the back 

 is beneficial to the sight, to lie with the face downwards is 

 good for a cough, and to lie on the side is recommended for 

 patients suffering from catarrh. 



According to Aristotle and Fabianus, it is towards spring and 

 autumn that we are most apt to dream ; and they tell us that 

 persons are most liable to do so when lying on the back, but 

 never when lying with the face downwards. Theophrastus 

 assures us that the digestion is accelerated by lying on the 

 right side ; while, on the other hand, it is retarded by lying 

 with the face upwards. The most powerful, however, of all 

 remedies, and one which is always at a person's own command, 

 is the sun : violent friction, too, is useful by the agency of 

 linen towels and body-scrapers. 4 To pour warm water on the 

 head before taking the vapour-bath, and cold water after it, is 

 looked upon as a most beneficial practice ; so, too, is the habit 

 of taking cold water before food, of drinking it every now and 

 then while eating, of taking it just before going to sleep, and, 

 if practicable, of waking every now and then, and taking a 

 draught. It is worthy also of remark, that there is no living 

 creature but man 5 that is fond of hot drinks, a proof thjat they 

 are contrary to nature. It has been ascertained by experiment, 

 that it is a good plan to rinse the mouth with undiluted wine, 

 before going to sleep, for the purpose of sweetening the breath ; 

 to rinse the mouth with cold water an odd number of times 

 every morning, as a preservative against tooth-ache ; and to 

 wash the eyes with oxycrate, as a preventive of ophthalmia. 

 It has been remarked also, that the general health is improved 

 by a varying regimen, subject to no fixed rules. 



1 "Gestatio." Exercise on horseback, in a carriage drawn by horses, 

 or in a litter. See B. xxvi. c. 7. 



2 See B. xxxi. c. 33. A sea voyage, to Madeira, for instance, is still re- 

 commended for consumptive patients. 



3 Change of locality is still recommended for diseases of the spleen, as 

 they are called. 4 " Strigilium." 



* Except monkeys and some domesticated animals, Ajasson remarks. 



